i own an 88 jeep wrangler, and i got a crazy idea of swapping to a diesel engine. both my current engine and tranny are dying... they dont have much time. i was wondering if i could get an old mercedes engine; a large 6 cylinder or a small 8. i know someone who could hook me up if i told him what i wanted. if you could help me by telling me what model/s to look at, that would be great. i have heard that mercedes last really long, and they are really quality. i have a good deal of experience working with old benz diesels, and i would love to do an engine swap. also, i have heard this is a great forum as far as getting information, and friendly people. thank you.

kb

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Kaleb, 17 years old. I own a 1988 jeep wrangler. it has a carburated 4.2 liter. it also has an automatic. I bought it all stock from a man that had it for a couple of years and had bought it from the original owner. when the guy dropped it off it was driving some what good but not the way i test drove it. i put alot of new things in it, the list is:Radiator, water pump,fuel lines, fuel filter, plugs and wires, egr valve, pcv valve, jet and seat. i think thats it.

how about this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mbe4000.jpg
its just a "little 6cyl" though... a 12.8 liter one... whoa, that is huge, makes like 450hp!!!
a that would rip most cars in two... because of the weight!! if you want to fit that in a wrangler, you'd be streching the hood and fenders quite a ways!!
just joking with you. the om617's (with turbocharger) make about 110hp, 3.0liter, you might need a little more power than that, considering the jeep 4liter engine is around 200hp (i don't know if yours has the 4 or the 6 in it)

any suggestions anyone??

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion

OM617 with an MB trans could be done.

4BTA Cummins backed by an NV4500 5 spd manual has been done. I can't remember the link, but there was a guy who did this swap into a YJ. He had the pump turned up to something like 200 horsepower before he put the motor in. It was work, but not that bad as far as "don't belong there" engine swaps go.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

would be pretty heavy for a relatively light jeep frame, imho

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If you were talking about a two wheel drive vehicle you would have many choices. With four wheel drive, however, you will have to mate either the MB trans to your transfer case or the MB engine to your transmission. Either one would be beyond the facilities of a DIYer unless you own a machine shop.

You might do an internet search and see if anyone makes any adapters for this swap.

Good luck,

The Jeep should swallow the 617 with no problem. It was designed to be used with a straight 6 which also quite heavy.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

i was thinking about putting a MB motor and trans in and then having my frinends dad that has a tool and die shop make me anything i need to mate the trans a transfer case together. also i have the inline 6 already the 4.2.
i have so much blowby that the PCV valve was getting shot out. and the trans i have to warm up by putting the trnasfer case in nuetral and then putting the jeep in reverse. It wasn't a big problem that i could take off when i started the rig up and go but now it won't shift out of gear unless i do warm it up. but the diesel looks alright but i still want some get up and go. also what drew me in was the Biodiesel that i could make at my house for like 70 cents a gallon.

Some Questions:
- What type of power are we talking like horse and torque
- Fuel/diesel mileage
-how much does this thing really wiegh... i know they are alot heavier then gassers
-what years should i look at to get the best out of like price and power.
- did you say that his motor had a turbo.
-could i put any Bullydog parts on the motor.

By the way i am only interested in MB parts because i have experience with them and because i have alot of people that wotk on them and can find me the parts if needed.

Thankyou for the help.

KB

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Kaleb, 17 years old. I own a 1988 jeep wrangler. it has a carburated 4.2 liter. it also has an automatic. I bought it all stock from a man that had it for a couple of years and had bought it from the original owner. when the guy dropped it off it was driving some what good but not the way i test drove it. i put alot of new things in it, the list is:Radiator, water pump,fuel lines, fuel filter, plugs and wires, egr valve, pcv valve, jet and seat. i think thats it.

My freind did this Cummins 4cyl in a landcruier.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410514


I'm collecting parts for a 300d turbo in a landcruiser. Some pics of my motor in there under "engine conversions"

http://cruisers.shoumatoffmedia.com/

A long time ago I was looking at swapping a chevy v-6 into my 4 cylinder Isuzu trooper. Same 4wd / engine - tranny matchup issues. There was a company in Colorado that specialized in conversion plates to match engines to trannys. I have no other clue on the name, but you might check through the 4wd magazines for help.

Having that bolt up capability would make whatever you put in much easier. You could also get an idea how it works if you are determined to do your own custom one.

Chuck

Best quote on that page: "kind of a long bit*h...good thing its a wagon"

He wasn't kidding.

You might look at mating it with a Land Rover transmission and transfer case, ZF makes the auto-tranny for both vehicles.

- Jeff Miller

Did mercedes ever make an inline six for diesel? i want to try to get a bit bigger of an engine, unless anyone knows how to get around 230 ft/lds of torque or more? not really power hungry but if it has more torque i would be happier because that is what my engine is at... well that is when it was new. any ideas?

~kb

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Kaleb, 17 years old. I own a 1988 jeep wrangler. it has a carburated 4.2 liter. it also has an automatic. I bought it all stock from a man that had it for a couple of years and had bought it from the original owner. when the guy dropped it off it was driving some what good but not the way i test drove it. i put alot of new things in it, the list is:Radiator, water pump,fuel lines, fuel filter, plugs and wires, egr valve, pcv valve, jet and seat. i think thats it.

You are talking about a divorced transfer case situation here, which means you probably will not be able to use your existing TC, which means new (or at least modified) driveshafts in addition, and while youre at it, you may as well upgrade those puny axles to some D60s.

Its a monumental job your are considering undertaking, You need some serious welding and fabrication skills, not to mention serious tools...

I've been considering this for a while, when the v-8 in my 1980 full size cherokee finally expires maybe I'll actually do it.

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Cheers,
Robert

the only reason i am actually thinking about doing this is because i have tons of friends that can help me and they have all the tools. they also agreed to help me. i wouldn't start the project till the simmer. and yes i am going to upgrade to d60's. i think i'll go to the junkyard and or the bargain corner and sell the rest of the parts off of a complete truck for around 500$. i know it is a big project. i also know that if i put on D60's that i'll have to get a new t-case because the D60 is a passenger side drive.

-does anyone know if Mercedes ever made a inline six diesel?-

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Kaleb, 17 years old. I own a 1988 jeep wrangler. it has a carburated 4.2 liter. it also has an automatic. I bought it all stock from a man that had it for a couple of years and had bought it from the original owner. when the guy dropped it off it was driving some what good but not the way i test drove it. i put alot of new things in it, the list is:Radiator, water pump,fuel lines, fuel filter, plugs and wires, egr valve, pcv valve, jet and seat. i think thats it.

Yes. Several. I'm pretty sure you're just talking passenger cars-there was a 2.5 that was sold here for several years starting in 1986, a 3.0 that was some time in the late 80's-90's, and a 3.5 that was only sold for a few years. I'm not really up on the new (past '85) models yet.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.